A/N: The mastermind spied on Midas' Castle. Snow travels - and arrives - there to find the ongoing battle. She engages her birds and decides to speak to the villagers, encouraging them to stay a week or so. David checks in with Emma about what she wants, then gives her 'homework' before rushing off after his wife. Belle decides to end things with Jorie, only to be slipped some potion that has her in his control. Wesley saves her, takes her back to the ship, and they begin the journey back. Regina meets with Maleficent to suss out if she's the mastermind or not - but isn't convinced either way. Killian woos Emma a little before helping her with the 'homework' a little too easily. Perhaps it's a sign of good things to come for the people - and Emma.
Please don't hate me for the delay. Among other things, I had an arm injury that made life difficult and I'm still healing - but at least I can type now. - If everything goes according to plan (like it never has in this whim of a fic) this will end around day 25. I am pulled, emotionally, in every direction imaginable because of that fact. I don't want it to be over, but I'm also ready for it to be over.. - D23 has its own set of problems. I've been wanting to move forward but everyone is so scattered that the flow of this day has been troublesome. - Ready for a real look at the Mastermind? She took a lot of blood sweat and tears to write, and you're finally getting a real glimpse into who she is. She isn't.. exactly.. revealed yet - unless you know your stuff.
~Day 23~
She was pacing in her study after returning from her reconnaissance of Midas - the sight of it had her in fumes.
At first, she was thrilled Snow White had arrived - apparently the day before - but the reigning Queen had already wormed her way into the hearth of her ally and was trying to convince them to cease fire. Snow White could accomplish anything she put her mind to, the mastermind knew this well.
But so could she.
Sighing, suddenly feeling the fatigue, she plopped into her favorite chair, the darkness of her early life springing forward as it always did when she was up against a stone wall. She remembered being a small child, discovering she would soon be a big sister, and how excited she had been at the idea of having a sibling. Her father, a poor man as were they all in their town, pushed her aside and welcomed his son into the world. She was instantly no longer interesting to the man she called papa, the man she had cried to, the man who comforted her when she had nightmares predicting her mothers death.
But her father wanted a son, and his mistress gave him one. Her mother - the most beautiful woman in the entire town - was killed soon after the birth and the babe's gender revealed. She had been forced to watch as her father killed her mother with his bare hands. She never did discover why. Why was she made to watch? Her nightmares came to life that day. If only she realized sooner just who it was that killed her -
She was told she was lucky - she had been allowed to live, watching as her father remarried his mistress, watching as he favored his son, watching as his interest in her faded until he barely noticed she was even in the same room. But she was lucky they remembered to feed her, lucky they still allowed her a home, lucky she woke another day with breath in her lungs.
Lucky they didn't treat her like that bastard child her brother truly was.
And then, she discovered her magick. Something in her blood, given to her by her mother.
And it made it that much worse when she realized that her mother didn't - couldn't - use magick to save herself that fateful day without alerting the witch hunters that she herself had magick too.
She grew into her powers, hiding them, taking up with a master who showed her how to wield her magick safely without restraint or worry of being caught.
It had been a lonely existence, growing up with one friend who she was positive was imaginary most days. Lonely when her father and brother kept ignoring her most of her life, until - until her father lay on his deathbed. He uttered the words that still ring in her ear -
"I never wanted a daughter."
That stupid, spiteful man.
She spent the rest of her teenage years tormenting her brother in secret with her magickal pranks. Eventually, she made him forget everything he thought he knew. She made their entire town forget him, too. Including her Step-Mother. Everyone forgot the entire affair of her father having a mistress or a son. Her brother became an orphan in an instant, his memories wiped clean, the slate returned to side with her once again.
Until she fell in love. Still young, though an adult, torn between pursuing the love of her life, or tormenting her brother, she tried to do both - until tormenting her brother somehow managed to bring her love and her brother's love together. How had she been so blind?
Her love had rejected her, quite thoroughly, for the other woman. He made his choice. His choice chose him too. They were True Love.
If she was hurting, she could at least revel in the fact that her half-brother was hurting too. They both lost something that day.
That was when her heart truly started to darken, she was sure of it. Upon seeking aid in her long time - not imaginary - tutor of magick, finding him reject her darkness and her - she left.
And then she roamed, far and wide, adrift. Learning magick where she could, finding tutors wherever she went. She was sated in knowing that she had left her half-brother miserable in his place, never amounting to the man he wanted to be, never having his love by his side.. It was enough, for a while. Knowing what she left him with, knowing she was slowly bettering herself in her own magick, finally feeling a sense of peace and calm as she worked with her magick -
Hearing about the Charmings brought the whole nasty story to the forefront of her mind. Why were they allowed True Love?! She wasn't far off from Misthaven, and sought out The Evil Queen - Regina. She had learned all she could from her last tutor, and the timing felt right.
But Regina had rejected her, too, with barely an acknowledgement, she was turned away before she even got five words out.
It was too much.
She sought out a way - any way - to ruin Regina's Dark Curse. Releasing the Fates had been a stroke of brilliance, it was her first real taste of chaos, and she learned just how she craved it after that, content to watch as they wrecked havoc.
She learned not to be too hasty in her revenge. After all, her impatience had driven her love away from her leading her to heartbreak.
She could wait.
But now - with Snow White meddling directly in the little war she herself influenced?
She stood from her seat, briskly walking to the window.
It dawned on her. She had a solution after all. Yes. Snow White, Prince Charming, Regina even.. Heroes were predictable.
Grinning, she knew just who she had to influence now.
And how to hurt them all in the process.
~Morning~
It was a usual day for Roland. He'd taken up his old cot in the back of the tavern that sat between Sherwood and Nottingham so he could continue his old job as the barkeep, musician, artist, storyteller, poet - whatever brought him extra coin that day.
He had a feeling of unease, though. He'd had it since he'd left the Charmings. He tried to convince himself it was only the disappointment in Regina's voice, her odd desire for him to stay near her at the castle.
Today, though, the pull to return was nauseating.
Return to what, though? All he did there was stay out of the way, drawing depictions of everything he had seen, writing in his journal of the actions of others. Out of the way, yes, and always seemingly arriving at one point or another just in time for the story to unfold in front of him. He never wondered what was happening around him, because - try as he might - he always ended up listening or watching as the lives unfolded around him. His presence there wasn't beneficial to anyone, though, except to follow the whim of his step-mother.
Then why was he so eager to return?
It was getting late in the morning when he finally gave in, turning to the proprietor, ending his employment completely.
Surprisingly, his nausea had completely stopped the moment the words tumbled out of his mouth. In relief, taking it as a sign (though of what he could not say) he gathered all his belongings into his only knapsack, before mounting the horse his father had gifted him.
Ensuring he wasn't being followed as he'd been taught - second nature by now - even though few knew of his relation to Robin Hood, he made his way into Sherwood Forest toward the direction he knew the camp would have moved to next after his fathers words in parting.
It had been a beautiful morning for Emma. Waking to Bridget's knock, a tray in her hands sporting a wonderful dish Emma had never had before (but found she loved completely) along with a hot chocolate, two roses, and another note that made her smile and blush despite herself. She still longed to speak to someone about the changes she was beginning to accept, but resigned herself to the cards dealt to her. For now.
She was perturbed that her father - that traitor - had assigned Grumpy of all people to play chaperone to her and Killian. The new suitor - her chosen suitor - did end up reading to her, and he seemed to revel in the scoffs and groans from the dwarf present. Emma found she had to hold back her own laughter at the pirate's antics to liven the story in attempts to goad the chaperone.
It was a good story despite Grumpy's protests.
Most of her worries fell away, only a few stubborn ones still pinging at the back of her mind whenever a lull appeared, though few and far between.
Wesley was pissed. Well, that would be putting it mildly, he was sure. But seeing Belle cornered in the empty hallway had exposed something within himself that he had tried to suppress since meeting her. Naturally, seeing her in distress, his dormant feelings roared to life.
He knew he was falling for her.
Now, seeing her ghostly pale after an entire night and morning of being plastered to the railing, he had to do something.
She was still, undoubtedly, in the clutches of whatever potion had been in her drink the night before, but seeing as his sham of a plan to empty her stomach wasn't working, he nodded almost imperceptibly to Jesse, who turned on his heel from his duties on deck to gather his supplies to bring to the distressed princess.
Wesley found it within himself to be grateful for the full sails they'd been blessed with since weighing anchor. He couldn't bring himself to contemplate the fact that they were traveling faster than their fastest speeds, though he noticed. How could he not? Any other ship in the distance was nearly stopped by the lack of wind power propelling them, but Wesley supposed they were just heading in the same direction as the wind, at just the right angle to take full advantage.
He wouldn't allow himself to dig deeper into those thoughts. It was a gift to them all, and he was grateful for that. Grateful for something positive to focus on.
They would arrive ahead of schedule.
~Afternoon~
David groaned, looking at the ring. He was walking his horse now, wanting to move slower to remain undetected from the battles going on.
The ring was directing him closer and closer to the thick of it. After circling the area twice already, he knew it was leading him to one of the tents that likely acted as base camp for one of the generals.
What had she gotten herself into?
Leaving his horse behind, he marched past dumbfounded men milling about the area, some bowing in acknowledgement, others staring openly with shocked expressions.
Pushing his way into the tent, listening to the argument as he did so. His wife was arguing with a familiar voice that he couldn't place until his eyes landed on the younger man.
Prince Thomas, the son of their ally, married to Ella. He had met the man on a few occasions, but never held anything against the man.
"Charming!" Her voice startled him as much as his appearance startled her.
Thomas groaned a little. "I'm not backing out, sir."
He looked to his wife with a curious expression. She sighed. "The people here want a democracy. They are sick and tired of the lives they've lived since Midas passed. I've had to convince most of them to stay while I try and convince these warring factions to back off so we can work with the people on creating some election for the new leader."
"Leader chosen by the people." He mused. "Like Camelot?"
Thomas scoffed. "I don't know how or why Camelot seems to work under the rulings of the people, but this is Misthaven."
"And let me guess." David crossed his arms. "Your father wants to expand since his land is just over the next ridge of Midas', and you're here to do his bidding?" The younger prince nodded silently. "Let me do you a favor, Thomas." He kept his eyes locked on him. "Your father is getting along in age, and you're next in line. Tough decisions are apart of ruling. So here's one you have to make without him. Leave this battle, give up this fight, or lose us as an ally now and forever."
Snow gasped a little, but Thomas looked sick. David took a little pleasure in that. The younger man knew what his father wanted, but also knew the weight of losing the Charmings and their massive army and ready willingness to lend a hand when possible - and needed.
Defeat in his eyes, the younger man let out a long breath before calling his general to recall his troops and pack up. David and his wife offered to help, but were quickly turned away.
"I was almost ready to give up." Snow confided once far enough away from the tent. "How did you know that would work?"
"I didn't." He let out his own breath in a huff. "I mean, I had an idea. He's inexperienced, but a good man. Now, do you mind telling me of the plan you have for the other four armies out here?"
He took a moment to fix the ring back onto Snow's finger, the sparks between them flying like they always did when they were close.
"I don't have much of a plan, except try and convince the factions to cease fire. I don't even know who else is fighting yet."
"You already talked to the people?"
She sighed. "Yes. Everything I said was true. They want stability, like their own crops again, freedom. Camelot's recent success has them wanting to move there, but most can't afford the trip. I even offered to bring them into our villages, but most are weary of any royals by now."
"Two generations of disappointment after a man like Midas can do that to people." He thought a moment. "So you're hoping we can dissolve this conflict and bring in a democracy instead." He nodded, more to himself. "Well, it is currently Kingless. Just like Camelot was. Perhaps it's for the best."
She grinned at him in response, throwing her arms around his neck to his hearty chuckle.
Regina was only mildly surprised to see Roland arrive a few hours past noon. He looked the most at ease she had seen him since he was a child.
Something must have finally clicked for the young man, and she wasn't at all surprised to hear he wanted to return with her. Robin still wasn't sure about Roland's involvement in the whole mess, but he trusted her - a minor miracle if she ever knew one.
Though she had originally wanted to see if Emma and Roland hit it off - just in case the pirate didn't work out in this reality - she still liked having him with her. He always seemed lost in that tavern, though content with the stagnancy of his life, she wasn't. The castle provided opportunities for him he otherwise would never see.
Roland's surprise arrival meant a few extra hours in Sherwood, which she didn't mind. The overgrown man-child got to practice his archery with his father. He did his father proud, something about genetics, and Regina was all too happy to sit back while they bonded.
But as soon as the evening began to approach, along with an early dinner, she had to insist they leave to return to the castle before another day could pass.
She had to assure her husband that she would return soon. Their extended separation was taking a toll. She'd just have to pay the price for a few poofs if it took much longer to set things straight with Snow.
Once away from the camps, her glamour spell was recast, along with a spell to keep the horses going, long through the night.
~Evening~
Belle, though feeling slightly better, knew she was still under whatever spell was in that damn drink Jorie had given her. She knew she should be angry, but it did get her out of there faster than normally socially acceptable, and she was eternally grateful for that.
Positive feelings were better than the negative ones.
Though she still was unsure why Roberts had acted the way he had. Perhaps he considered her his charge now? She was a passenger, almost a crew member with how she pulled her weight - before the return trip, that is.
Though she had a very small notion it could - possibly - be more than that, she couldn't allow the thought to fester. Because that thought led to her own feelings which led down a path of thoughts and feelings she couldn't control -
She was grateful Jesse finally helped her nausea, understanding he had tried to get the potion out of her system though it had failed. Now, she was drinking soup, the first meal she managed to keep down all day, with bread the captain had ordered for her like it was a normal thing for him to do.
For anyone to do.
She breathed in the soup, trying to empty her mind, focus on one thing.
She was a day closer to the castle that felt more like home than any place had since she lost her own in a deal with -
She sighed, foring those memories back as she stuffed the bread in her mouth to keep her hands busy.
It was going to be a long night.
Snow huffed in aggravation. They had only spoken to three more leaders, one Guy of Gisborne who she had never heard of before, and a man who only went by the name of 'Scar'. He was an interesting fellow to be sure.
Neither man was very interested in vacating the battle, even upon threat of war with the Charmings. They wanted Midas' land for selfish reasons.
The third leader they spoke to was Li Shang, a proud and honorable man on a mission similar to Thomas. His Emperor wanted to build trade routes to and from this palace. Snow was positive there was more to it, but David had the idea to become allies with the Emperor and establish trade routes with him so they could end this battle before it became a much bigger war.
Li Shang was intrigued, and sent the proposition to his Emperor using some kind of talismen Snow had never seen before. Shang assured them he would have an answer in the morning, but could not relent his place in battle before then.
Feeling the depths of her fatigue, and knowing her husband needed sleep just as much as she did, they almost turned in before meeting with the fourth. Something kept Snow hopeful, pushing herself just a little further, as they moved in the shadows to the last of the tents.
The final tent was well worn, seemingly made from scratch from several things, the fabric of it clashing.
David and Snow shared a skeptical look before she called out to the tent.
A pale man stepped out, in similar well-worn clothes, his hair mussed, and red-rimmed eyes.
"Who goes there?" He called to the pair.
"I'm Snow White, this is David." She replied with an uneasy smile. The man looked more than a little off his rocker, his fingers twitching even as he stared them down.
"Royalty, here at my humble tent. Should I cower in fear for my life, majesty?"
She gaped a little, David picking up the conversation for her. "No, of course not. Are you the leader here?"
He nodded, his left eye twitching a little at the movement. "Jefferson." He pointed to himself with a shaking hand.
"We come in peace." Snow spoke softly. "We'd like a minute of your time."
He eyed the pair warily, before nodding and moving back into the tent.
David huffed under his breath, as Snow took in a sharp gasp of air.
This would be interesting.
Killian was pacing. He knew he was making her nervous, hell, he was nervous.
He'd been thinking about this almost since he met her, but it wasn't something he reveled in.
"Killian-"
"I know." He stopped, breathing in the night air, deeply filling his lungs before he turned to her. She practically glowed in the moonlight, Grumpy just visible past her shoulders. The man's scowl could still be seen, making him chuckle and shake his head.
"Whatever it is, it can't be that bad."
"You know not what you speak, love."
"You don't have to-"
"Aye, I do." He was nodding now, more for himself than for her. "I have spent centuries being the villain, Emma."
"I've heard the stories, you know."
"But not the worst bits, I assure you."
She was the one to breathe now, crossing her arms, looking away, running her fingers through her loose hair, before steeling herself and piercing him with her green glare.
"Killian Jones. I made a decision about you a while ago. It was Belle, actually, who got me there. But I realized - whoever you were, isn't who you are now."
Relief flooded him more than he could have anticipated. "Aye." He grinned at her, before the clouds returned to his mind. "But I feel I still need to bare the worst of my deeds to you, love. Courtship does tend to lead to lasting things, and it would not be good form to enter into any such agreement without your understanding -"
"Gods, Killian, if you insist on telling me, just do it."
He smirked at that. Blasted, impatient, woman whom he loved. He still wasn't sure exactly how that had happened. He shook that thought away, turning to look at the stars and collapsing on their spot to collect his thoughts.
He felt her join him on the grass, silently waiting for whatever words he needed to get out.
How far back did he need to go?
On a deep breath in, he told her what started it all. Liam's death. He showed her the ring on the chain around his neck, and relayed the information as best he could without choking up - something he knew he failed at. The loss of his brother never left him. She remained quiet, only asking something to better understand. She wasn't judging him. Not yet.
Telling her about Liam, and his path into piracy, led to Milah.
Then the crocodile.
Then to Baelfire, who was now known as Neal, and missing for all he knew.
And, finally, Brennen Jones. Patricide. The worst act Killian ever committed.
He knew it wasn't enough to cover his entire history of evil, but he knew it was enough for her to see his past clearly. To see him clearly.
He wanted more than he deserved, a life with her, but it was just as much up to her as it was him. And she needed to know the man he was. He couldn't go months of a courtship on the lie of him and who he really was, not with her.
Any other woman he could lie to, keep these truths hidden, but not Emma.
He couldn't keep her in the dark about him.
About anything.
"There's more to it, isn't there?" she asked softly.
"I suspect there always will be." He replied just as softly. "I've lived too long to tell you all the evil acts I've committed."
He chanced a glance at her, but her expression remained unreadable. Her hand reached up to the necklace he had placed on her after the ball.
"Was this from you?" Her voice was still soft, though stronger than his.
"Aye."
"Tell me." She encouraged.
So he did. He told her of that night, what he experienced after she fell in his arms, of meeting Rumplestiltskin, of burning any last bridge he had with Bae to get the man to see his father one last time. He skimmed over the little fact that he could have killed - or tried to, anyway - the imp that night, but Emma didn't miss a beat.
"You didn't even try?"
"Aye."
"Have you given up your revenge, then?"
He thought a moment. "I suppose I have." After all, eternity in prison was much worse than any death he could give the damn imp.
Thank you for reading! - Guy of Gisborne is a traditional foe of Robin Hood in case you didn't know. In BBC's Robin Hood, he was played by Richard Armitage. Like Hook in ONCE, Gisborne's evil really began at the loss of his love Marian, who chose Robin Hood over him.
